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About this project

The whole story is every bit as verbose as one of Harvey's text heavy comic panels or lunch with Joyce. If you're impatient, skip over the videos we've embedded. If you're really, really impatient-- as Harvey so often was-- let's start with the quick pitch:

A way to celebrate comics as art and literature at a Cleveland Heights public library. A literary landmark, a desk that's always filled with paper and pencils for people to sit and write or draw comics at the same place where Harvey Pekar liked to work.

Mounted on the desk, a sculpted bronze comic book “page.” Stepping out from a panel, Harvey-- using his semi celebrity to focus on the creative possibilities of the art form he opened up to so many people. On the reverse, gridded into bronze ruled "panels," a giant slate storyboard that looks very much the way Harvey always started his own scripts. (He wrote and drew stick figures, just like Paul Giamatti in that movie.) Plenty of chalk and plenty of encouragement from a library that cherishes comics. At different times each year, a librarian can unlock the middle drawer of the desk and pull out copies of books that Harvey read as a kid that inspired him to write, AMERICAN SPLENDORscripts, memorabilia and anything else that could inspire library patrons to be creative with comics.

The desk and statue will be mounted next to the library's “Harvey & Friends Used Bookstore"* and facing the library's ever growing comics shelves. Every so often a Kickstarter campaign runs over. If that happens, once all the bills are paid, the Estate of Harvey Pekar will use the rest of the money to add to the library's no-white-gloves, read and enjoy(!) collection.

* Named after Harvey. The library knew and loved him.

For those who like details and good gossip, a longer explanation

When Harvey died in July, 2010 there was some silly buzz about raising a statue of “Our Man, the autobio comics and indie film legend.” This made Harvey's wife and collaborator Joyce Brabner terribly uncomfortable. Not only was she hustling to cover cemetery expenses, local fans had been unable to erect a statue of that other Cleveland comic book hero, Superman.

Sculptor Justin Coulter was
tending bar that night. The bronze casting foundry he had worked at
for 7 years had closed and like Harvey, Justin works several gigs so
as to also make art. He began making little clay models (maquettes)
of a possible sculpture.

This was not making
Joyce's life any easier. She called it the “celebrity vs.
celebration” dilemma. She was very uncomfortable with the idea of
Harvey-as-monument, but she realized she lived in a city that had
giant stone statues of the Greco-Roman gods of literature, commerce,
industry and transportation.

So, why not use Harvey's para-celebrity to promote Comics as Art & Literature?

Justin redesigned the
models, now turning into a memorial that would encourage anyone and
everyone to think about writing or drawing stories about themselves,
about whatever they could imagine. He and Joyce decided on a large
bronze comic book page with captions that proclaimed, as Harvey said,
“Comics are words and pictures. You can make anything you want
with words and pictures.” “Anybody's life story is potentially
the source of a great novel, comic book or movie.” And in very
small letters, directly under Harvey, in Yiddish, what he really
would have said, “Oy! What do you want from my life anyway?”

Thinking comics, Joyce
realized this left them with a reverse “page” on the back of the
memorial. She decided to turn it into a giant slate storyboard, upon which people could draw their own comics. That's what
killed the idea of placing the memorial on Harvey's as yet unmarked
grave. It would not be polite to the other guests of the cemetery.
And of all this came the much better idea to redesign the memorial
and install it at the Cleveland Heights Public Library-- a very
comics friendly place, indeed-- where, because a giant block of
granite or marble was no longer required, costs could be cut in half
by mounting everything on a reinforced wooden desk.

This
video explains it all and shows off the kind of support the library
offers the Comics as Art & Literature statue project. Unlike the infamous Kickstarter Detroit Robocop
statue, we've made sure this would be a welcome, wanted by (most) of the suits, piece of public art. So, if you have
time to watch anything, watch this one. (Nancy Levin gets comics.)

Harvey's
connection to the library and librarians he loved is described in
this last video, as well. But, if you really did read all the way to the
bottom of this, it can be assumed that you're a literate and flexible
thinker, someone who also loves his or her own library. No one's talking
about erecting Comics as Art & Literature desks in other
libraries yet. It could happen... Joyce would agree. But the truth is, the Estate of
Harvey Pekar is pretty much just Joyce with the help of some friends. She can not
afford to bankroll this project herself and things would have been so
much easier for her if she could have simply sprinkled Harvey's ashes
in the backyard.

If,
after all the bills have been paid, there's any money left over, that
cash goes to buy still more graphic novels for the library.

A
tremendous amount of goodwill has gone into the design of this
project. It's not an ego driven memorial to a dead husband. It's intended only as an
offer to use someone's good name and memory to celebrate comics as
art and literature and encourage people to make comics. “Comics
are words and pictures. You can do anything
with words and pictures.”

Exactly when can we expect a statue and our rewards?

Some of the rewards offered can not be delivered until the statue is erected, so we're shooting for what would have been Harvey's October 8, 2012 birthday. We will send what we can as soon as we can, hoping to get the Winter Holiday 2011rewards out in time for whatever you celebrate. And not all the rewards are up yet. Some other folk, including those famous and infamous, have promised things we'll post later.

Kickstarter says this project is already 100% funded. Do you really need more money?

Well... yes. Joyce low balled project costs, expecting to be able to make up the difference. But there are some tax problems, etc. Here's the latest:

FAQ

You have $1,500 to contribute to the cause and you're worrying about hanging with good company? I always thought people with that kind of discretionary income never worried about glam dates for the prom.

It depends on what coast you live on, I guess. Phone calls are no problem but for an actual sit down date, Judah Friedlander (plated Toby, now on 30 Rock) is our East Coast guy, with James Urbaniak (played Crumb, all over the place in cinema and, in cartoons, the voice of Dr. Venture) covers the West. You are sort of stuck with me or real Toby if you live in the middle of the country. We are each very interesting people but probably not who you had in mind. My last Screen Actors Guild residual check was for $2.22 which probably doesn't mean much, unless you are into numerology.

Ask your rabbi. If Harvey is anywhere in Gan Eden, we doubt he's in charge-- although he might be roaming the halls, file charts in hand. Which means this time he's REALLY in trouble if he's caught swiping office supplies, using the phone to make long distance calls or pilfering doughnuts.

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial web page

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $3 or more

53 backers

I don't want a reward, although a thank you would be nice. I just want to help.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

176 backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page.

A commemorative postcard snail mailed or e-mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

147 backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. If you are outside the USA please add $5 s/h

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

63 backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

53 backers

WINTER HOLIDAY 2011 SPECIAL!!! Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A 2011 Winter holiday card followed by a gift of a book AND some music from Harvey's personal collection selected for you with best wishes by Harvey's widow Joyce and their Danielle, who will do the best they can to get your package to you by the end of the year. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2011

You selected

Pledge $99 or more

58 backers

A CUP OF TEA AND A LONG WINTER'S CHAT WITH COMICS GIANT ALAN MOORE--

(Hear Alan explain this all in our just posted video:
http://vimeo.com/32176575 YES! You may post this anywhere you want.)--

In exchange for your $99 pledge, he's offering a several hour-- by invitation only-- video conference from his home in the UK. Viewers may ask impertinent questions. To keep this affordable, split the costs with your friend and plan to gather round your computer.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

78 backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: "Harvey Pekar's Cleveland." If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

29 backers
Limited (1 left of 30)

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. And, as seen in the AMERICAN SPLENDOR movie, an authentic Harvey Pekar doll. If you are outside the USA, please add $20 s/h.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

6 backers

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. 5 different 8.5 by 11 pin up color prints of amazing Harvey heads, each again chosen at random for you-- because ALL of the artists were equally terrific. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland.” A VIP invitation to a Harvey Pekar's Cleveland Walking tour, including storytelling lunch with some of Harvey's people. Five tours are planned so far, with dates and times to be determined. If you are outside the USA, please add $10 s/h.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed or e-mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled. A strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland.” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of his soon to be published “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack. (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses, bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

1 backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,500 or more

1 backer

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. A phone call-- if not a coffee date-- with one of the stars of the film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, happy to talk to you about working with Harvey or any other question you've burned to ask about making the movie. You have to get yourself to the coffee shop but we buy the coffee or orange pop. (Sorry if you live in Idaho). If you are outside the USA, please add $ 25 to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (2 left of 2)

All the goodies in the $1,000 bag PLUS a $2,000 "Jakprints Gets Harvey Pekar" card. To figure out what that buys, go to Jakprints.com and see what our creative partners can make for you. They've manufactured most of the rewards we are offering here and do spectacular b/w or color comics, printed on demand, CD or DVD packaging, concert merch, custom apparel, banners. signage, art prints-- everything your favorite organization might need to promote a good cause and all kinds of rewards you can offer when you do your own Kickstarter campaign

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (2 left of 2)

Your name on the list of thank-you's on the Memorial web page. A commemorative postcard snail mailed to you on the day the Harvey Pekar Comics as Art and Literature Memorial is unveiled in an envelope with a strip of Harvey Pekar head stickers, each head drawn by a different artist. A Harvey Heads poster with ALL the heads drawn by over 90 artists from The Pekar Project. A signed copy of Harvey Pekar's penultimate master work, published by Zip Comics: “Harvey Pekar's Cleveland” A Harvey Pekar Controversy Pack: 1 copy of Harvey's posthumously published book “Yiddishkeit” (Abrams Books) AND 1 copy of “Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me” (FSG) and the Joyce Brabner Controversy Pack: (Harvey's wife did a number of political comics that were banned, ended up in Federal Court houses-- even bought up and “recycled” by well meaning liberals... but some fell off the truck.) ALSO: An authorized reprinted chapter about much of this from Bissette and Wiater's “Comic Book Rebels” AND your chance to voice feedback to any book on a special phone line. So long as you're moderately civil, your call WILL be returned by Joyce, a Harvey friend or collaborator. PLUS a complete-- or near complete-- set of Harvey's self published and other floppy comics. A number have been set aside for this campaign. If certain numbers run out, expect something else of equal value (we think) to be submitted in its place. A phone call-- if not a coffee date-- with one of the stars of the film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, happy to talk to you about working with Harvey or any other question you've burned to ask about making the movie. You have to get yourself to the coffee shop but we buy the coffee or orange pop. (Sorry if you live in Idaho). AND one of two outfits worn by Harvey Pekar (as himself or while portrayed by actor Paul Giamatti) in the Oscar nominated film AMERICAN SPLENDOR. First to pledge gets first pick. Weird? You bet. But some people are into that kind of stuff. If you are outside the USA, don't even think of adding extra $ to cover s/h and internat'l phone charges. We're even.